Importance of Relationships and Sex Education for Children at St. Mary's School

Relationships & Sex Education at St Marys Tuesday 13thJune

THE IMPORTANCE OF RSE & WHY IT IS TAUGHT RSE is taught within our PSHE lessons and sometimes within Science The intent/aims of our curriculum is to enable all children to become healthy, resilient and responsible members of society RSE Elements are built on year by year. The 3 main themes are HEALTH & WELLBEING, RELATIONSHIPS and LIVING IN THE WIDER WORLD Children need to understand how they are developing personally and socially and (at appropriate ages) begin to tackle some of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up in a complex world

THE IMPORTANCE OF RSE & WHY IT IS TAUGHT It helps to ensure that children learn how to keep themselves safe from harm Relationships Education and Health Education is statutory in primary schools. We need to show understanding, respect and tolerance for those who choose to live their lives differently to how we may live our own.

MORE KEY INFO ABOUT OUR LESSONS The Department for Education recommends that all primary schools should have an age-appropriate sex education programme Our lessons take place after half term in the Summer- Term when the children are more mature than earlier in the year. Parents can choose to withdraw their child from the sex education at primary school but NOT the relationships education. Please consider this carefully and TALK to us. Often children know a lot before the lesson. Sometimes what they know is wrong! They have found out information from the internet, Tik Tok, older siblings and peers Those who miss the lessons are often taught by their after the lesson (not always accurately)

SOME WORRIES/QUESTIONS WE HEAR FROM PARENTS My child is too young They will know too much, they aren t ready My child will be embarrassed I will be embarrassed They might ask me a difficult questions My child says they don t want to be in the lesson Will my children be shown photographs of naked people? Will the teachers influence my child in any way

Teaching is sensitive and well-judged For some children puberty has begun already Science Lessons focus on life cycles of plants and animals In RSE lessons we will teach in mixed classes (menstruation will be taught in separate sex lessons) Lessons will be taught in year groups so children are receiving the age appropriate material Ground rules will be set in the classroom and class charters Question boxes are placed within each classroom if a child asks a difficult question we will contact parents to discuss how you would like us to handle the comment.

ANY QUESTIONS & FINDING MORE INFORMATION DfE Guidance Statutory Guidance can be found online Please feel free to ask any questions or speak to us after the meeting As always THANK YOU for your trust and support